Gas-producer.



S. B. SHELDON.

GAS PRODUCER.

APPLIUATION FILED 11111.26, 1910.

1,003,524. Patented sept. 19,1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

w zzfenl'or es e5.' i 55177111@ 5. S/zelclo COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPHCO-Wasmno'mm D. C.

S. B. SHELDON.

GAS PRODUCER.

APPLIoATIoN FILED nn. 26. 1910.

I1,003,524, Patented Sept. 19,1911. ff? jf coLuMBl/ PLANOGRAP'Hco.,wAsHmnToN. D. c. l

S. B. SHELDON.

` GKS PRODUCER. APPLICATION FILED 1113.26, 1910.

1,003,524, Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

S. B. SHELDON.

' GAS PRODUCER.

MPL10-M1011 FILED 111111.16, 1910.

Patented sept. 19,1911.

7 BIEIEETs-BH ET 4 s. BJSHELDON.

`GAS PRODUCER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 26, 1910.

1,003,524. Patented sept. 19,1911.

'l SHEETS-SHEET 5.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CUqWASHINETON. D. C.

S.-B. SHELDON. V1111s. PRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED IAR. 26, 1910.

Patented sept. 19,1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

coLuMnl PLANouRAPI C0..wAsH|NnTDN, D. c.

-S. B. SHELDON.

GAS PRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED 111111126, 1910.

1,003,524. i b11119111911 sept. 19,1911.l

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

COLUMBIA PLANDCRAPM c0..wAsHlNnTON. D. c.

SAMUEL BERTRAM SI-IELDON, 0F SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAS-PRODUCER.

1,ooe,5 24.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1911.

Application filed March 26, 1910. Serial No. 551,715.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL B. SHELDON, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of South Bethlehem, in the county of Northampton andState of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Gas-Producers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in means for charging or feedingfuel to the fire chamber of a gas producing furnace and consists in thematters hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointed outin theappended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,-

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a gas producing furnace provided with myimproved charging and feeding device. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionthrough Fig. 1 on the line 2- 2 thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectionthrough Fig. 1 on the line 3 3 thereof. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectionthrough the hopper on an enlarged scale on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig4a is a horizontal cross-section through the worm-shaft on the line4ta-4fL of Fig. 4. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the gasproducer showing a top plan view of the coal therein and the path ofdistribution of the coal in top plan view. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectionthrough Fig. 5 on the line 66 thereof. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic viewillustrating the way the coal is distributed over the surface in myimproved charging or feeding device. Fig. 8 is a partial verticalsection through Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a transverse section through Fig. 8 onthe line 9 9 thereof. Fig. 10 is a similar' section showing the parts ina different position. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the deflector plateshown partially in section. Fig. 12 is a partial transverse section y nvto rotate 1n the chamber E. Said worm is hollow and 1s formed at thebottom of a.

through Fig. 4 on the line 12-12 thereof. Fig. 13 is a partialtransverse section through Fig. 4 on the line 13-13 thereof. Fig. 14 isa vertical section through the worm and its shaft. Fig. 15 is a top planview of the same. Fig. 16 is a transverse section through Fig. 14 on theline 16-16 thereof. Fig. 17 is a front elevation of the distributer.Fig. 18 is a transverse section through the same on the line 18-18 ofFig. 4.

As illustrated in the drawings, A indicates the fire-chamber of a gasproducing furnace, said fire chamber being surrounded by a wall A1 linedwith fire-brick A2.

B indicates the top of the lire chamber which consists of a circularplate which supports the charging or feeding mechanism and the motorwhich operates it. Said top is rotatably mounted-on the walls of thefurnace by means of flanged wheels B1 journaled on stub-axles B2 securedto the outer surface of the top B and running on a circular track B3formed by a horizontal flange at the outer edge of an annular trough Cwhich is supported on the walls of the firechamber. The top B isprovided with an annular vertical flange b which depends into the troughC, so that when the trough C is partially filled with water, as shown inthe drawings, a water-seal will be formed between the top B and thefurnace chamber A. An upwardly extending, annular flange b1 surroundsthe t-op and incloses a body ofy water for cooling said top.

D indicates the hopper from which the coal is discharged into thefurnace chamber A. This is arranged to one side of the center of the topB and is provided with an opening D1 at its bottom where it is connectedwith a vertical cylindric chamber E which is supported in any convenientmanner above an opening El in the top of the fire chamber.

E2 indicates a deep, annular trough which l surrounds the chamber E andis adapted to contain water to cool said chamber. trough is preferablyformed by means. of a vertical cylinder c which surrounds the chamber Eand is formed integrally with a horizontal flange el at the base of theverti- Said cal wall of the chamber E. Said flange c1 Arests upon ahorizontal iiange c2 formed about the circular opening E1.

F represents a worm which 1s constructed hollow tube or pipe F1 whichcommunicates y with its interior. Said pipe is closed at the `top by aninternally screw-threaded cap F 2 which is screwed upon its upper end.The i lower end of the worm is provided with an lannular threadedopening F3 in which is vlindric band f and is held in position at thispoint by means of a packing ring f2 which is interposed between theupper end of said pipe F1 and the cap F2. The pipes or tubes j F1 and F1are thus separated by an annular chamber and form a hollow hub for theworm. Said` annular chamber is divided longitudinally by means ofdiametrically opposite ribs f3 f2 (see Fig. 4a) which extend from thetop of the worm F to a point near the top of the tube F1, where they areconnected by a shoulder f1 which projects from the inner wall of' thetube F1 and abuts against the outer surface of the tube F1. Just belowthe said shoulder f4 is located a small outlet pipe f5 which is threadedinto the tube F1.

rlhe cap F2 is provided with an annular channel f6, in the bottom ofwhich and between the ribs f1 are located openings f1 which communicatewith the chamber be tween the pipes F1 and F4. A discharge pipe F5 issupported above said annular channel in position to discharge therein.As shown in the drawings, said discharge pipe is supported by a strap F6which is bolted to a collar FT surrounding the pipe F1. Said collar isretained between the lower edge of the cap F2 and a ring F2, surroundingthe pipe F1 and resting against an annular shoulder formed in the outersurface there of. It is apparent from this construction that waterentering through the discharge pipe F5 will fall into the channel f6 ofthe cap F2 and from thence pass through the openings f1 in the bottom ofsaid channel, between the ribs f1 to the right of the vertical ribs f3(see Fig. 4) dividing the chamber between the pipes F1 and F4. It willthen descend down into the hollow worm and becoming heated there, willrise on the left-hand side of said ribs to the discharge pipe f5.

G indicates a hollow shaft which is vertically mounted within the tubeF1. Said shaft G projects below the base of the worm F and has securedto its lower end a distributing member H. It extends at its upper endthrough an annular opening formed in the cap F2, as indicated at g, andthe packing ring f2 prevents the entrance of water at this point. Saidshaft is provided on its outer surface (Fig. 8) with a long key-way fm,in which engages a key )"11 secured to the cap F2, which, as describedabove, is rigidly secured to the upper ends of the pipes F1, F4constituting the hollow hub of the worm. The worm and its hub thusrotate with the shaft G but are feathered to it so as to be movablevertically thereon. The said shaft G has bearing at a point above thecap F2 in a yoke I which is supported on the top of the hopper in amanner presently to be described. A collar g1 bears between a shoulderg2 formed in the outer surface of the shaft G and the lower end of thebearing g3 formed in said yoke. Secured to the shaft above said yoke isa ratchet wheel G1 by means of which it may be rotated. Said ratchetwheel is adapted to be operated by a pawl G1 (see Figs. 4, 8 and 9)carried by an oscillating arm GS which is pivoted on the hub of theratchet and retained in place by a washer g and a threaded collar gG. Tothe upper end of the shaft is secured a ring provided with an outwardlyand downwardly curved flange G2, G3, which flange depends within anannular trough G4 supported at the top of said shaft. Said trough isclosed at the top by a plate G5 and rests on a collar g surrounding thehollow shaft G. A threaded nipple is provided at a point in the outerwall of said trough and within said nipple is secured a pipe G.

The distributing member H is inclined or arranged at an angle to itssupporting shaft G in order to facilitate the discharge of the fueltherefrom, and its lateral or side edges are elevated so that its topsurface is concave or of trough shape, so that the layer of the fuel, asit falls upon and passes over said member is laterally confined anddelivered in a narrow or colnpact stream. Said distributing member ismade hollow and the hollow shaft G communicates with its interior. It isprovided with a hollow bearing member H1 which is divided internallyinto communicating channels, the upper one of which, h, connects withthe hollow shaft G, while the lowerone, 71,1, connects with a narrowchannel h2, formed by ribs h3 its, (see Figs. 4 and 13) which run from`the center of the distributing member downward, terminating short of theend wall of said member so as to provide openings /L1 by means of whichsaid channel connects with the--main chamber formed in said distributingmember. end of the channel h2 is formed a screwthreaded nipple 77.5 towhich is secured the lower end of a vertical pipe H2, located within thehollow shaft G. Its upper end projects above the upper end of saidshaft, through an opening in the plate G5 covering the trough G4 and isthere rotatably connected by a coupling H3 to a radially extendingwater-pipe H4, which is secured at its inner end to a centrally located,rotatably supported, vertical pipe H5.

The upper end of the pipe F1 forming the outer wall of the hollow hub ofthe worm F has bearing within a stuffing box j, which is formed on theinner, vertical wall of an At the upper l annular trough J, which islocated "atnthe' top of the hopper D, and surrounds-said pipe. The outerwall of said trough is provided with a horizontal flange J1 upon whichrests a horizontal flange I1, forming the base of the yoke I, and whichin turn rests on an annular channel bar J2 which is supl ported upon andsecured to the top ofthe rior of the trough J.

The worm-shaft is adapted to be raised or lowered, in order to adjustthe hollow worm 1 F with reference to the top of the wormchamber E, andto this end a forked lever K is pivotally mounted on the yoke I, as at7c, and has its forked arms pivotally connected to the collar F7, as at7a2 (see'Fig'. l2), while the other arm carries a depending, pivotallyconnected rod K1 upon which is supported a counterweight K2. A verticalrod K3 pivotally connected at 153 to the flange b1 of the fire chambertop B is provided with a series of openings 762,' by means of one ofwhich in connection with a pin 705, said lever K may be locked'in anyposition so as to maintain the worm at the desired level in its chamber.l A

The circulation of cooling water supplied to the various parts abovedescribed is as follows: vWater enters through the feed pipe H5 andthence passes through the pipe H5 to the vert-ical pipe H2.v From thisit passes through the channel h2 of the distributing member H and afterpassing through the hollow interior of said member and becoming heated,risesin the space between the hollow sha-ft G andthe inner vertical tubeH2 until it fills and overflows the cup G2 whence it falls into theannular trough G4. From said trough it passes through the pipe G to avertical pipe G9 which depends therefrom and which is provided at itslower end with a discharge spout G10 which directs the falling wateragainst the outer wall of the hopper D. From here thewater falls intoand fills the trough E2 located about the walls of the worm chamber. Theoverflow from said trough lls the basin on the top B inclosed'by theflange b1. The lower end of the pipe H5 isvconnected by a flexible tubeor hose HG with the discharge pipev F5. From this water passes throughthe hollow worm hub and worm and thence out of the discharge spout f5into the trough J. A pipe J5 conducts the water from the trough J and isprovided with a discharge spout J 6 which is adapted to direct thefalling water against the outer wall of the hopper D, down which itflowsinto the trough E2.

1n the top of the hopper D is a circular opening in which is tted theneck D5 of a smaller hopper DG, by means of which fuel y is fed to thehopper D. Said neck D5 is normally closed at its lower end bymeans of avalve'or bell Dfxed tothe'lower'end of a vertical operating rod DS whichis pivotally connected to an operating lever D9 fulcrumed at the upperedge of said smaller hopper. The feed pipe H5 is supportedy by means ofstraps h5, h5 secured to the side walls of the small hopper D5. f

The top of the lire chamber is rotated by the following `mechanism: rlwo'of the shafts B2 are arranged with their axes in the same line in avertical plane passing through a diameter of the'top andare prolongedtoward each other as indicated at BX, BY. To their abutting ends aresecured beveled gears b5, ZJ which are connected by means of a thirdbeveled gear 57. It is apparent that the rotation ofthe gear 67 willcause the ygears b5 and Z 6 to rotate in opposite directions, whichcauses the flanged rollers B1 on their respective shafts to advance inthe same direction about the track B3, thus producing a rotation of thetop. The gear x67 is keyed to a shaft L carrying a spur gear L1-whichmeshes with a pinion L2 on a shaft L3 above the first named shaft.Saidshaft L3 carries at its opposite end a gear L4 which is in mesh witha pinion L5 on a short shaft L6 carrying a second gear L7. The lattergear is driven by a pinion Z on a shaft Z1 to which is keyed a gear Z2meshing with a .pinion Z3 on the shaft of a motor Z2 which is supportedinv any convenient manner on the top of the fire chamber-above thesurface of the water. The several shafts mentioned are supported byconvenientbrackets which yare secured to z said to B.

On e end of thevshaft L6 is secured a slotted crank arm M. In the slotm1 of said arm is secured a block m to which is pivotally connected oneend of a connecting rod M1. The other end of said rod vis pivotally fconnected to a' rocking bell-crank lever M2 which is pivotally mountedon the top of the lhopper D and which operates a' link M3 `crank 'arm M,the connecting rod M1, the

bell crank lever M2, and the link M5, 'an oscillatory movement whichwill intermittently rotate the ratchet G1 through a certain angle, forevery rotation of said shaft. By adjusting the block m in the slot m1 ofthe crank arm M, the throw of the arm GS may be varied, and with it theangle through whichV the ratchet G1 is turned for each revolution of theshaft L6. This intermittent rotation of the ratchet is communicated tothe distributingv member H, and to the worm F,Ywhich turns with it. Bythis ar-` frangement the lfuel delivered from` the distributing memberis distributed in a path .which is determined by the revolution of itsVown axis.

fsaid' distributing member, as a Whole, about the 'axis `of the rechamber, and lalso by the rotation of saidvdistributing member aboutThis distributes the ycoal in 'a curved path of cycloi'd'al charactercomprising a series 'of loops which, as illustrated in Fig. 5, shows the'appearance of the curve when the distributing member and the top areturning in the same direction.

In :order to determine how near the inner ends of the loops of the pathlfot the feed tributing member.

said axis and the Laxis 'ofthe ire chamber.

It is slidably mounted iin a slot, through the j top B, about 'which is:formed a flanged Web nl to prevent the 'entrance of Water from thebasin-on the top B. Said plate lis1 provided With a seriesof pairs'ofopenings 'a in Which vare llocated pins 'n2 which are` adapted tosupport said deflecting member VN at the desired height. Saidld'eiiectingmember 'is provided With an internal passageWay or conduitN2 Whichjis adapted to distribute cooling Water ,downward and from` oneledge jto the other'of said plate, and vWith a vertical conduit N3 inwhich the heated Water Yrises and `from Which it is-discharged into thebasin on the top AB of the furnace chamber.

The operation of the device is as iol-- loWs:-Fuel is fed to lthesmaller hopper D6 and from time to time, as required, is

delivered from that -tofthe -hopper -D by -depressing -the xbell D7. Themotoris started, Whichcauses acontinu'ousrotation ofthe top and anintermittent rotation of the Worm VF -a'nd -the fdistributing member H.AThe rotation of the top causes 1the -hopper to be carried aroundtherewith in a circular path about the axis of the..gas-chamberand`atthe same time the deli-very end V'of xthe distrib-` utingmemberdescribes a circularpath With reference jto the center ofthe deliveryopening of said hopper. Worm F Steeds the coaldovvnward 1from the hopperthrough the Worm casing, the amount of coal fed-by theworm beingindirectproportion to its speed ofrotation. The rate of thisspeed may -bevaried by vvarying the angle Ythrough lWhich the vratchet Wheel Gr -isrotated, `as hereinbefore described. From the yWorm the n' coalV fallsupon the distributing member -I-I, Which,by reason ofits con-r caveform, distributes-the coal'ina line-orcourse located in a vert-ical.plane through the axis of the distributing member. By. reason of therevolution of the distributing; memberabout the aXis'of-the'virechamber.;

l poking obviated or reduced.

The rotation `of the vand also its rotation on its own axis, however,this line or course intersects the top `surface of the fuel in the gaschamber at a series of points Which lie in a curved path, forming apattern or figure comprising a series of loops, as indicated in Fig. 5.The path described by the falling coal is of cycloidal character and itsexact shape Will depend upon the relative speeds of rotation of thedistributing member and of the top, and also upon Whether the top anddistributing member rotate in the same or in opposite directions. If thedistributing member and the top of the gas chamber are rotated in thesame direction, the path described by the falling coal Will be like thatillustrated in Fig. 5, but it the direction of rotation of thedistributing member be opposite to that of therotation -of the top, saidpath, Will be of similarcharacter, but the loops Will be Wider towardthe periphery of the gas chamber instead of narrower, as in Fig. 5. Thecoal falls Afrom the distributer at any point in an appreciablequantity, and packs in a conical pile. These conical piles arecomparatively close together, so that there is formed a substantiallycontinuous ridge of coal, which is V-shaped in cross-section (see Fig.6.) The angle of the V Will depend upon the .angle of flow of the coal,and also upon the amount-allowed yto `fall ottl the distributer. Thelatter depends upon the rotative speed of the Worm so that lthe Width ofthe ridge at its base depends upon the Speed at which the Worm rotates.Between adjacent sections of the looped path there Will be substantiallylittle or no coal at any given period, so that the yfire lis maintainedat a high rate of eiliciency and the necessity for In the operation yofthe device, no .two successive `figures or lpatternsol-the completelooped path coincide, the looped gureor pattern formed by one completerotation of the top falling slightly in advance of or `behind the`looped igureor pattern formed'by the next preceding revolution of thetop,sinoe`the end of one lligure does not fall upon-the same point aslthe preceding `figure started, but in advance of or back `of thatpoint. In time the coal isdistributed-evenly over the entire surface, asindicated in the diagrammatic view shown in Fig. `7. In said ligure, theheavyline shows the looped igure or pattern formed during a completerotation of the top, the .lighter -line the looped ligure or ,patternformed during the next complete rot-ation of the top, and the dottedline, a

third looped figure or pattern formed by a Ethird revolution. None ofthese complete figures or-patterns coincideor fall one upon the other.

IBy adjusting the delecting member up or idown, thelocation of the.inner sections of Ithe looped path `with reference to the center of thegas chamber is determined, and this part of the band may be iattened toleave a larger free surface at the center of the fire chamber.

The worm is movable up and down on the hollow shaft G, as has beenheretofore described, and this is of particular advantage in feedingcoal which has an angle of flow approaching a right angle such, forexample, as wet coal. Vhen such coal is to be fed the worm maybe raisedabove the worm chamber, so that its lower end is in the plane of the topof the worm chamber, in which case the worm will bite into the coalabove the chamber and drop it vertically onto the distributer.

All of the moving parts described herein are sealed so as to prevent anypossibility of gas escaping from the gas chamber. The water for theseals is furnished by the overflow of the cooling water supplied tothevarious parts. l/Vhen the water rises above the required height tomaintain the seal in the trough C, it overflows through a pipe S whichconnects with a vertical pipe S1, which leads to any convenient place ofdisposal.

While I have illustrated and described herein one modification of myinvention, it is to be und-erstood that the various details ofmechanical arrangement and construction may be modified in differentways Without departing from the spirit of my invention and I do not wishto be limited to them eX- cept as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention l. The combination with a fire chamber, of arotative top wall inclosing the top of said chamber, a water-sealbetween said rotative top wall and said fire chamber, a fuel hopperlocated above said top wall, fuel feeding mechanism comprising anupright cylindric casing, and a rotating worm, said casing beingconnected at its upper end to said hopper and opening at its lower endthrough said top wall between the center and the circumference thereof,said worm being hollow and being provided with a vertically extendinghollow hub opening into its hollow interior, a hollow distributingmember located below said worm, a hollow rotating shaft for saiddistributing member, said worm turning with said hollow shaft, means forsupplying cooling water to said worm-hub and to said hollow shaft, andmeans for rotating said top wall and said shaft.

2. The combination with a fire chamber, of a rotative top wall inclosingthe top of said chamber, a water seal between said rotative top wall andsaid re chamber, a fuel hopper located above said top wall, fuel feedingmechanism comprising an upright cylindric casing, and a rotating worm,said casing being connected at its upper end t0 said hopper and openingat its lower end shaft for said distributing member', saidworm-hub beingfeathered to said shaft,

means for supplying cooling water to said worm-hub and shaft, means foradjusting the level of said worm with reference to said casing, andmeans for rotating the top of said re chamber and for rotating saidshaft. l 3. The combination with a fire chamber, of a top wall inclosingthe top of said chamber, a fuel hopper located above said top wall, fuelfeeding mechanism comprising an upright cylindric casing and a rotatingworm, said casing being connected at its upper end to said hopper andopening at its lower end through said top wall of the fire chamber, saidworm being adjustable in a vertical'direction with reference to saidcasing, and means for locking said worm against vertical movement.

` 4L. The combination with a fire chamber, of a top wall inclosing thetop of said cham ber, a fuel hopper located above said top wall, fuelfeeding mechanism comprising an upright cylindric casing and a rotativeworm, said casing being connected at its upper end to said hopper andopening at its lower end through said top wall, a distributing memberlocated below said worm and having bearing within said casing, arotating vertical shaft to the lower end of which said distributinglmember is secured, said worm being feathered to said shaft, and meansfor adjusting said worm vertically on said shaft with reference to saidcasing and for locking itin position.

5. The combination with a fire chamber, of a top wall inclosing the topof said chamber, a fuel hopper located above said top wall, fuel feedingmechanism comprising an upright cylindric casing and a rotative worm,said casing being connected at its upper end to said hopper and openingat its lower end through said top wall, a distributing member locatedbelow said worm and having bearing within said casing, a rotatingvertical shaft to the lower end of which said distributing member issecured, said worm being feathered to said shaft, means for adjustingsaid worm vertically on said shaft with reference to said casing and forlocking it in position, and a counterweight adapted to balance saidworm.

6. The combination with a tire chamber. of a rotative top wall inclosingthe top of said chamber, a water seal between said rotative top wall andsaid fire chamber, a fuel hopper located above said top wall, fuelfeeding mechanism comprising an upright cylindric casing and a rotatingworm, said casing being connected at its upper end to said hopper andopening at its lower end through said top wall between the center andthe circumference thereof, a distributing member located below said wormand rotating therewith, said distributing member being constructed todeliver said fuel at any instant in a line or course located in planeextending through the vertical axis of said distributing member, andmeans for rotating said top of said lire chamber and for rotating saidworm and distributing member.

7. In combination with a fire chamber, of a rotative top wall inclosingthe top of said chamber, a water seal between said top wall and firechamber, a fuel hopper located above said top wall, fuel feedingmechanism comprising an upright cylindric casing and a rotating worm,said ,casing being connected at its upper end to said hopper and open atits lower end through said top wall between the center and circumferencethereof, a distributing member located below lsaid worm and rotatingtherewith, means for rotating said top wall and said worm anddistributing member on their respective axes, and means for varying therate of rotation of said worm and distributing member. s

8. Means for feeding fuel to a gas producer embracing a verticalcylindric casino,

fa hollow worm provided with a hollow hub extension, a pipe locatedwithin said worm and having closed connection with the bottom of saidworm and the top of'said hub, a hollow shaft located within said pipe,said shaft and pipe being constructed to rotate together', a centralpipe located within said hollow shaft, a hollow distributing membersecured to the end of said hollow shaft below said worm, said centralpipe projecting into the interior of said hollow distributing member,said central pipe and said hollow worm hub being connected to a sourceof cooling water supply and means for drawing ofll the water from thetop of said hollow shaft and from the top of said hollow worm.

9. In a fuel feeding mechanism the combination with a hopper, a verticalworm casing connected with the bottom thereof, a hollow worm adapted towork in said casing, said worm being provided with a hollow hub, a pipelocated within the said worm and hub and having closed connection at itsends with the bottom of said worm and with the top of said hub, meansfor dividing the annular space within said hub into two longitudinallyextending chambers, means for supplying cooling water at the top of oneof said chambers and for drawing said water o at or near the top of theother chamber,

.a hollow vertical shaft located within the hollow worm and worm hubwhich are constructed to turn with said shaft, a distributing membercarried at the lower end of said shaft below said worm, saiddistributing member being divided into separate chambers, one of whichopens into said hollow shaft, a vertical central pipe located wit-hinsaid hollow shaft connected with the other of the chambers in saiddistributing member, and means for supplying cooling water to the top ofsaid central pipe and for drawing off said cooling water from a pointnea-r the top of said hollow shaft.

10. In a gas producer, in combination with a hopper, means for feedingfuel from said hopper embracing a vertical cylindric casing and a hollowworm and hub, a hollow shaft constructed to rotate with said worm andworm hub, a hollow distributing me1nber connected to said hollow shaftand located below said worm, said worm and worm hub and said shaft anddistributing member being constructed for the independent circulation ofcooling water therethrough, and 'means for independently supplyingcooling water to and for discharging it fromv said shaft and worm hub atpoints at or near their upper ends.

11. In a gas producer, in combination with the lire chamber and a topinclosing the same, a hopper supported above said top, a vertical casingconnected to said hopper at one end and opening through said top at theother, a hollow worm adapted to feed the fuel through said verticalcasing, said worm having a hollow hub extending vertically above saidhopper and divided laterally into longitudinally extending chambers,each communicating with the hollow interior of said worm, a hollowrotating shaft located within said worm hub and extending verticallyabove it, said worm and worm-hub being adapted to rotate with saidshaft, said shaft being provided with longitudinally extending inner andouter concentric chambers, a hollow distributing member secured to thelower end of said shaft below said worm, the inner and outer chambers ofsaid shaft being connected with the hollow interior of said distributingmember, means for supplying cooling water to one of each of thelongitudinally extending chambers in said shaft and worm hub near thetops thereof, means for discharging water from the tops of the otherlongitudinally extending chambers in said shaft and worm hub, saiddischarging means being constructed to direct the water against theouter walls of said hopper, and an open trough surrounding said casingadapted to receive the water as it runs down the walls of said hopper.

l2. In a gas producer, in combination with the fire chamber and a topinclosing the same, a hopper supported above said top, a

vertical casing connected to said hopper at one end and opening throughsaid top at the other, a hollow worm adapted to feed the fuel throughsaid vertical casing, said worm having a hollow hub extending verticallyabove said hopper, a hollow rotating shaft located within said worm huband extending vertically above it, said worm and worm hub being adaptedto rotate with said shaft, a hollow distributing member secured to thelower end of said shaft below said worm, means for supplying coolingwater to said hollow shaft and to said hollow'worm and hub, means fordischarging said water from said worm hub and shaft at points at or nearthe upper ends thereof, said discharging means being constructed todirect the water against the outer surface of said hopper, and a troughsurrounding said casing adapted to receive the water as it falls fromthe surface of said hopper.

13. In a gas producer, in combination with a fire chamber, a rotativetop inclosing the same and a water seal between said r0- tating top andsaid fire chamber, a hopper supported above said rotating top betweenthe center and circumference thereof, a vertical casing connected at itsupper end to said hopper and opening at its lower end through saidrotating top, a hollow worm adapted to feed fuel through said casing,said worm being provided with a hollow hub extending vertically throughthe top of said hopper, a pipe located within said worm and worm hub andhaving closed connection with the top of said hub and the bottom of saidworm, forming an inclosed chamber within the worin and worm hub, meansfor dividing the annular space within said hub into laterally disposedlongitudinally extending chambers, an annular trough secured to the topof said hopper surrounding the upper end of said worm hub, said worm hubhaving gas-tight bearing within said annular trough, means for supplyingcooling water to one of the laterally disposed chambers in said wormhub, a discharge pipe adapted to discharge the water' from the uppperend of the other chamber into said trough, a hollow shaft located withinsaid worm and worm hub, said shaft being divided longitudinally into twochambers, one of which is open at the top, a distributing member securedto the lower end of said shaft below said worm, said distributing memberbeing made hollow and having its hollow interior connected with thelongitudinal chambers in said shaft, said worm and hub being featheredto said shaft for adjusting said worm and hub upon said shaft invertical relation thereto, a flanged ring located at the upper end ofsaid shaft and communicating with the interior thereof, a trough withinwhich the flange of said ring depends, a discharge pipe leading fromsaid trough, and means for rotating said shaft.

14. In a gas producer, in combination Iwith a hopper and means forfeeding fuel therefrom, a rotating distributing member A"axis of saidgas producer and being constructed to deliver the fuel at any given instant in a line or course located in a vertical plane, and a deflectingmember having fixed horizontal relation to said distributing member andbeing adjustable vertically with reference thereto.

15. In a gas producer, in combination with a lire chamber, a rotary topinclosing the same, a hopper supported above said top, fuel feedingmechanism embracing a vertical cylindric casing and a worm, said casingbeing connected at its upper end to said hopper and opening at its lowerend through said top, said worml having a vertically extending hub whichhas bearing in the top of said hopper, a vertical shaft to which saidworm hub is keyed, a distributing member carried at the lower end ofsaid shaft below said worm, said distributing member being constructedto have bearing relation with said casing, and a standard supportedabove said hopper provided with a bearing for the upper end of saidshaft.

16. In a gas producer, in combination with a fire chamber, a rotary topinclosing the same, a hopper supported above said top, fuel feedingmechanism embracing a vertical cylindric casing and a worm, said casingbeing connected at its upper end to said hopper and opening at its lowerend through said top between the center and the circumference thereof,said worm having a vertically extending hub which has bearing in the topof said hopper, a vertical shaft to which said worm hub is keyed, adistributing member carried at the lower end of said shaft below saidworm, said distributing member being constructed to have bearingrelation with said casing, a standard supported above said hopperprovided with a bearing for the upper end of said shaft, means supportedon said rotary top adapted to rotate the same, and pawl and ratchetmechanism adapted to intermittently rotate said shaft, said pawl andratchet mechanism having operative connection with said top rotatingmeans.

17. In a gas producer, in combination with fuel feeding mechanismembracing a vertical cylindric casing and a worm, a hollow distributingmember located below said worin, a rotating shaft to which saiddistributing member is secured, said shaft be ing hollow and comprisinginner and outer pipes separated by an annular space, and saiddistributing member being inclined at a angle to Said shaft and being intii oiiii' tlirilgli Fthel pipes 'comprising said of a concave platehaving bearing at its Shaft-r.. L A u y i l pe margin Within aid lcasingand being t'etiriony; that I', claim the foregoing provided with ahollovs pijojectin'g I ib With invention I'aiX signature inthe 5 itsaxis in the veiti'cal plane thrigh the presence of `tvvo Witnesses7tliis fourteenth 15 y aXiS of Said shaft, Said iib also having beai-yday 'f Micli A. 11919t k n v g f ing Within said casing, the hollowitei'ii' i lSAMUEL BETRM SHELDN,

of 'Said distributing maints-ef including' 'said Witaes'ssi projectingrib being constructed foi' the cii A. C; G RAHM,

1o culation of cooling vvatei admitted and disl C; SELoN.

Coi of this batnt may `lie iitaiini foi' iiv iit acii, addressing' tl'iiCominssiimer of iatents,

